Refrigerator



REFRIGERATOR Filed Aug. 16, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I COOLANT REFRKGERANT COOLHDNT 3/ havenfor (bar/es D. 5701 Patented Nov. 17, 1942 UNITED STATES orrlcs 2,301,938 aararcnm'roa Charles D. Fator, San. Antonio, Tex.

Application August 16, 1939, Serial No. 290,423

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 157) '1 Claims.

. therein.

One object of the invention is to provide a mechanical refrigerator in which the food compartment is retained at a practically constant nonfrosting temperature.

Another object of the invention is to prevent contamination of the ice by food odors.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for the convenient relative location of the refrigerating apparatus with respect to the food compartment and ice trays, so as to render all portions of the refrigerator accessible and to provide ample space forboth the storage of food and ice cubes.

With these and other objects in view this invention relates to certain novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be more fully herein described and claimed.

Referring to the figures in which like parts are designated by similar reference characters:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the improved refrigerating apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of improved refrigerator;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the refrigerator shown in Fig. 2, with the door and freezing tray removed;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the upper portion of a modified. form of the improved refrigerator one typeof the having a chilling vessel and a lower corrugated surface beneath the same located at the top of the food compartment; 3

Fig. 5 is a sectionized view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the upper portion of another modified form of the improved refrigerator similar to that shown in Fig. 4, in which a thermo-syphon circulation of the coolant is controlled by a thermostaticallybperated In the various types of mechanical refrigerators used in homes at present a chilling unit is placed in the food compartment to main-,

tain a suitable temperature therein. The temperature of such a chilling unit is maintained at from 18 degrees F. to 24 degrees F. which causes any moisture present in the air within the food compartment, that comes into contact with the chilling unit, to freeze and deposit upon it in the form of frost. In a few days sufficient frost will usually collect thereon to partially insulate the chilling unit, thus greatly lowering its cooling efliciency. To restore this efficiency the refrigerating cycle must be temporarily halted to melt this frost from the chilling unit.

For making ice in the present-day mechanical refrigerator space is provided within the food compartment for the location of the chilling unit in which are placed several trays of water for freezing. In this method considerable of the food odor present in the refrigerator is absorbed by the ice, thus impairing its desirability for home consumption. This freezing process is slow, due to the fact that the only contact between the tray and the cooling unit is had on the bottom of the tray. 1

In the refrigeration principle embodied in the present invention, the usual chilling unit is not located within the food compartment. This compartment is cooled by the circulation therethrough of a chilled brine solution and is 'automatically retained at a temperature which is never allowed to drop below 33 degrees F. or 1 degree F. above freezing, and thus prevents, the

accumulation of frost. Removing the usual chilling unit from its usual location within the food compartment also eliminates contamination of the ice, by food odors.

In the ice-making unit embodied in this invention, cans containing water to be solidified into ice are immersed directly into a coolant within a cold storage reservoir, which causes more rapid and efficient freezing, and prevents partial insulation by frost as mentioned above.

In vconsidering the diagrammatic layout of the refrigeration apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1, it will be noted that two circulating systems are contained therein; one, a chilling unit utilizing a refrigerant such as ammonia gas, which is condensed by a compressor i0, allowed to expand into a cooling coil i9, and then returned to the compressor, and theother a heat transfer unit for circulating a cooling medium, in which brine is first passed over the chilling coil i9, then pumped through hollow heat absorbing walls surrounding the food chamber, and finally returned to the chilling coil. Thus, the first circulating unit is used for cooling the brine, and the cooled brine is pumped to the food chamber where it absorbs heat and is then returned to be cooled again by the coil of the chilling unit.

The expansion system comprises a compressor l which is driven by an electric motor through the transmission belt I2, the motor being provided with a cooling fan l3. The refrigerant is compressed by the compressor Hi and .forced through tube |4 into the condenser coil l5,

where its temperature from compression is reduced by the fan |3. From the coil |5 the condensed refrigerant is passed through tube IE to the expansion valve H from which it is conducted through tube It into the chilling coil I9, located within a freezing chamber or chilling reservoir 28, containing freezing cans 69, and

from this coil through tube 2| back to the compressor l8.

The brine circulating system comprises two with two pistons 59 and 60 which uncover and,

close alternately intake ports BI and 62 at the extremities of the tubes 36 and 33, to allow either the chilled brine passing through tube 36, or the warmer brine passing through the tube 33, or proportional amounts from each tube to enter the chamber 34 through port 9. Brines of different temperatures are mixed within this chamber and the mixture at itsresultaht temperature is passed through tube 31 to circulating pump motor driven circulating pumps, which for convenience may bedesignated a freezing chamber circulating pump 22, and a food chamber circulating pump 23. The former circulates brine through tube 24 to the freezing chamber 20, and from the freezing chamber back to the pump 22, through the tube 25. The other circulating pump 23 circulates brine from the pump through the tube 26 to the upper and rear Wall chilling vessels 21 and 28 of the food compartment, from these to the side wall chilling vessels 29 and 3B, and from these latter vessels, through tubes 3| and 32, to tube 33. From tube 33 the brine is pumped either to the mixing chamber 34, or through the check valve 35 and through the tube 24, to the freezing chamber 28', orto both the mixing chamber and the freezing chamber, as will further be described. From the freezing chamber the brine is returned through tube 36 to the mixing chamber 34, and from chamber 34 through tube 31 to the circulating pump 23.

To regulate automatically the temperature of the chilling coil l9 and consequently the coolant 38 within the freezing chamber 2|), a thermostat 39 is provided to regulate the compressor motor Hand the motor of the'circulating pump 22. This thermostat 39 which operates on the fluid expansion principle is connected by a. tube 4|] to an expansible diaphragm control unit 4| which operates a throw switch 42. The switch 42 controls the circuit from the source of power 43 which circuit comprises lead wires 44, 45 and 4B, and the return wires 41 and 48, which transmit electrical energy from the source of power 43 to the motors II and 49 ofthe comphragm control unit 52 which operates a throw 7 switch 53. Theswitch 53 controls a circuit from the source of power 43, comprising lead wires 44 and 54 and return wires 55, 56 and and which transmits electrical energy from the source of power 43 to the motor 51 of the circulating pump 23.

It will be noted from the above description 23 and thence through tube 26 into the chilling vessels 21, 28, 29 and 38.

To regulate the temperature of the resultant mixture the spindle valve 58 is controlled by an aneroid cell unit 63 mounted on the support 64. The cell unit 63 operates said valve 58 through a connecting rod 65 and a lever 56 pivotally con nected to the spindle at its upper end attached to a flexible member 61 at its lower extremity, the flexible member being mounted on a support 1 20 is required in the refrigerating apparatus although the ice-making feature may not be incorporated therein, since it is in the chamber 20 that heat is absorbed by the evaporator unit from the coolant or brine solution 38, which in turn actsas the vehicle for the transfer of heat from within the food compartment of the refrigerator. The temperature of the coolant is automatically maintained between the limits of 8 to 25 degres F. If freshly filled freezing cans 89 are placed in the freezing chamber 20,01 any warmed coolant delivered into the reservoir 28 through tubes 3|, 32 and 33, leading from the chilling vessels 21, 28, 29 and 30, heat will'be absorbed. therefrom by the coolant within the freezing chamber 20, which in turn will deliver such absorbed heat to the chilling coil IQ of the condenser unit, thus maintaining the desired temperature of the coolant 38.

Assume that the thermostat 5|) is set to turn on the coolant circulating pump 23 when the The thermostat 58 temperature of the food compartment rises to45, degrees F., and that placing more food in the box has caused the temperature therein to rise to 45 degreesF., immediately pump 23 circulates coolant from the mixing chamber 34 into the chilling vessels 21, 28, 29 and 30, acting to absorb the heat from the food compartment to lower its temperature, and the coolant so circulated will not be any cooler than 33 degrees F. so that no frost will form on the chilling vessels 21, 28, 29

and 38.

The mixing chamber 34 functions automati-. cally to keep the temperature of the coolantentering through tube 25 between 33 and 35 degrees F. by means of the aneroid operated spindle valve 58 described above. Assuming the temper-' ature of the coolant flowing into the mixing chamber 34 reaches a. temperature of 33 degrees F. then the aneroid cells 63 collapse to move the coolant through tube 33. As the temperature in the mixing valve chamber it rises the aneroid cell block 03 will expand to move the spindle valve 58 to gradually open port ii to draw in coolant through tube 36 from reservoir 20, which coolant is at a temperature of from 8 to 25 degrees F. and to gradually close port 62. Any coolant drawn through tube 36 from the reservoir 20 is J replaced in the reservoir by a like volume passing through tube 33. As soon as the temperature of the food chamber drops to 40 degrees 'F. the thermostat 50 operates to stop the coolant circulating pump 23, to thus cease the extraction of heat from the food chamber. I

The ice-making unit illustrated in Fig. 1, represents a close miniature reproduction of a large commercial ice plant, with desired modifi- "cations to adapt this type of apparatus for use in the ordinary house refrigerator. The compartment or reservoir 20 is insulated with cork or any suitable composition insulating material, which may also be used to insulate the covers of the freezing cans 69. These cans are preferably rectangular in shape and flanged at the top and fit firmly into recesses in the top of the freezing chamber. Due to construction this icemaking unit is likewise frost free.

Throughout the entire construction conducting pipes or tubes, as well as the mixing chamber, are

to be adequately insulated against absorption of drawer 10 located beneath the food compartment,

as illustrated in Fig. 2. This figure shows the ice cans 69 disposed within the'freezing chamber 20 which is mounted on a sliding drawer III. The drawer I0 is shown in this view as partially withdrawn from the body of the refrigerator. The compressor apparatus is preferably located at the rear of the ice can drawer, as shown in Fig. 7.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a modified form of the refrigerator in which the cooling of the food compartment is effected entirely by a coolant reservoir 20a located in an upper compartment Ila. This coolantreservoir is connected to a mixing chamber (not shown) by the tubes 36a and 240.. Beneath the coolant reservoir 20a andspaced therefrom is located a V-shaped corrugated partition 1Ia which separates the upper compartment 2Ia from the food compartment. The corrugated partition I la furnishes a greater absorption surface to remove heat from the food compartment so that with this type of apparatus it is not necessary to provide coolant vessels on the back and side walls of the refrigerator. Beneath the corrugated partition I la. may be placed a drip pan 12 having an outlet tube I3, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 shows a modified form of refrigerator in Y which the cooling of the food compartment is ef fected entirely by a coolant reservoir 201) located in an upper compartment 2Ib, and is similarto the construction that is shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In this type of refrigerator it will be noted that the coolant reservoir 20b which is insulated is connected to the compartment III; by means of the ports 22b and 2011 which permit a flow of coolant from one of the communicating chambers to the other. and thus provides a thermosyphon circulation of the coolant. The temperature of the coolant in the lower chamber lib is thermostatically controlled by a slide valve 20b which is operated by an aneroid cell block 63b in a similar manner as the valve 50 illustrated in Fig. 1. In this device the temperature of the fluid in contact with the corrugated partition wall Ha is regulated by the thermostatically controlled slide valve which governs the interchange of warmer and colder fluid between the reservoir 20b and compartment ZIb caused by convection currents.

Aneroid cells 63 as illustrated in Fig. 1, or 6312 as illustrated in'Fig. 6, may be substituted by bichamber is connected to the inlet end of a' chilling coil or honeycomb radiator I00. The outlet end of the radiator I00 is connected to a tube I02 extending to the mixing chamber (not shown). In this type of refrigerator the radiator I00 is located in advance of a motor driven fan .or blower 15 which causes a circulation of 'air within the refrigerator in the following path: over the chilling coil I00, down the tube I0 leading from the upper chamber 14 to the food compartment l1 and from the food compartment through the opening I! in the floor I! of the upper chamber, back to the chilling coil.

Fig. 8 shows a construction in which one of theice cans is substituted by a motor-driven icecream freezer. A circular rotatable freezer can 0911 containing the ordinary paddle is submerged ing and the motor which is pivotally mounted on the bracket 8|. is provided with an extending arm 82 which is provided with a bearing 83, in which the upper end of the paddle shaft of the freezer is mounted. The lower end of the paddle is rotatably mounted within a foot-step bearing 84 mounted on the floor of the freezing can.

-The motor is retained in operative position by the latch member 85 which is mounted on the arm 02 and which engages the bracket member 86. The driving shaft of the motor is connected by the gear 81 to the gears 00 and 00 which are mounted on the top of the freezing can and the paddle shaft 00 respectively.

The drawer I0 is preferably mounted on a roller frame 9| to facilitate withdrawal from its compartment for the removal of ice cans.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a refrigerating apparatus including a freezing coil,'of a coolant system including a receptacle having walls defining an insulated compartment. adapted to retain said freezing-coil, a plurality of narrow intercoolant is conveyed to the chilling vessels at a predetermined temperature.

2; The combination with a refrigerating apparatus including a freezing coil, of a coolant system including a receptacle having walls defining an insulated compartment, adapted to retain said freezing coil, a plurality of narrow intercommunicating chilling vessels forming interior walls of a storage compartment, a mixing device, and conduits arranged to place the mixing device in communication with said insulated compartment and with said plurality of intercommunicating chilling vessels; said mixing device including a mixing chamber provided with two thermostatically controlled intake ports for selectively admitting coolant, at different temperatures, from the insulated compartment and the intercornmunia conduit to said chilling vessels, and means in cluding a thermostatically controlled pump adapted to force said coolant to said chilling vessels at a predetermined resultant temperature.

3. The combination with a refrigerating apparatus including a freezing coil, of a coolant system including a receptacle having walls defimng an insulated compartment adapted to retain said freezing coil, a plurality of intercommunicating chilling vessels partially surrounding the interior or a storage compartment, a mixing device, and conduits arranged to place the mixing device in communication with said insulated compartment and with said plurality of intercommunicating chilling vessels; said mixing device including a chamber and a temperature controlled valve for selectively admitting the flow of coolant of different temperatures into the mixing chamber. whereby to regulate the heat abstracting effect of said chilling vessels with relation to said food c;mpartment.

'4. The combination with a refrigerating apparatus including a freezing coil, of a coolant system including a receptacle having walls defining an insulated compartment adapted to retain said freezing coil, a plurality of intercommunicatlng chilling vessels forming walls of a storage compartment, a mixing device, and conduits arranged to place the mixing device in communication with said insulated compartment and with said plurality of intercommunicating chilling vessels; said mixing device including a chamber and valve means therein operable to direct the flow of coolant from the insulated compartment through the mixing chamber into said plurality of intercommunicating vessels for return directly to said insulated compartment, said means including additional means for directing some of the returning coolant into said mixing chamber to be mixed with the liquid from said insulated chamber and recirculated through said intercommunicating vessels.

5. The combination with a-refrigerating apparatus including a freezing coil, of a coolant system including a receptacle having walls defining an insulated compartment adapted to retain said freezing coil, a plurality of intercommunicating chilling vessels forming walls of a food storage compartment, a mixing device, and conduits areating vessels, and an outlet port connected by ranged to place the mixing device in communication with said insulated compartment and with said plurality of intercommunicating chilling vessels; said mixing device including a chamber and valve means therein operable to establish communication between the freezing chamber and chilling vessels whereby to admit warmer and cooler portions of the coolant to said chamber for the purpose of regulating the heat abstracting effect of the chilling vessels upon said food com partment.

6. The combination with a refrigerating apparatus including a freezing coil, of a coolant system including a receptacle having walls defining an insulated compartment adapted to retain said freezing coil, a plurality of intercommunicating chilling vessels forming vessels of a storage compartment, a mixing device, and conduits arranged to place the mixing device in communication with said insulated compartment and with said plurality of intercommunicating chilling vessels, and thermostatically controlled pumps adapted to force coolant through said conduits; said mixing device including a chamber adapted to maintain apredetermined portion of said coolant system within a. selected temperature range to regulate the heat abstracting eifect of said system upon said storage compartment, said mixing device being provided with a temperature operated valve for interconnecting the mixing chamber with the conduits communicating with the insulated compartment and with the plurality of intercommunicating chilling vessels to selectively admit to said chamber differently temperatured portions of said coolant and to emit coolant therefrom to said intercommunicating chilling vessels at a predetermined resultant temperature.

7. Thecombination with a refrigerating apparatus contained within a housing having an upper food compartment and a. lower drawer and including a freezing coil, of a coolant system including a receptacle having walls defining an insulated compartment located within said drawer and adapted to retain said freezing coil, a. plurality of intercommunicating vessels forming interlor walls of said food compartment, a mixing device, and conduits arranged to place the mixing device in communication with said insulated 

